He understood it. They were trying
to kindle a fire-with flint and steel, under the shelter of the
boat. He continued to watch them 'lazily and without alarm.
Their fire, if they succeeded in making it, would cast no light
upon him in the dense covert, but they would be outlined against
the flame, and he could see them better, well enough, perhaps, to
tell to what tribe they belonged.
He watched under his lowered eyelids while the warriors, gathered
in a close group to make a shelter from stray puffs of wind,
strove with flint and steel. Sparks sprang up and went out, but
Henry at last saw a little blaze rise and cling to life. Then,
fed with tinder and bark, it grew under the roof made by the boat
until it was ruddy and strong. The boat was tilted farther back,
and the fire, continuing to grow, crackled cheerfully, while the
flames leaped higher.
By a curious transfer of the senses, Henry, as he lay in the
thick blackness felt the influence of the fire, also. Its warmth
was upon his face, and it was pleasing to see the red and yellow
light victorious against the sodden background of the rain and
dripping forest. The figures of the warriors passed and repassed
before the fire, and the boy in the boat moved suddenly.
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